Donnie
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/15/04
Posts: 826
Loc: Western Ky
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Hi guys. Mostly a lurker here. I recently sold my Ultima 9.25. Looking for a bit more portability and GOTO. My schedule is very busy. This should help alot. I have been observing for about 20 some odd years.
Anyway, I found a good deal on a used N8GPS on Astromart recently. The scope arrived today. Surprisingly enough the weather was perfect. Thats only happened a few times in all my years in this hobby. I thought it might be a bad sign.
So far I am very pleased with the scope. Although I found it easy enough to input the time and location in the LX90 I briefly had, the GPS makes it that much easier.
Once aligned, it was hitting everything dead center with a 15mm eyepiece. Pretty good. I didnt get much time to observe though. I have the flu, for three days now. Really should have been resting, but as you know, when new toys arrive, you have to go out.
One thing I am really impressed with is the stability of this scope. Of course being an alt/az mount it should be. But with that "small" 8" OTA it is rock solid. Reminds me of the older Ultima 8. I doubt it would be as stable on a wedge, but it was still impressive.
Not really a lot to add, just a happy scope owner. I did get a chance to do a minimal star test. Minimal in that the optics hadnt completely cooled. However at 200 power both sides of focus were near identical. M13 and M22 were testament to this. They were sparkling diamonds.
So, I may be asking questions from the group here at some point. Probably the Nexstar section of the site. Either way, it is indeed a Cat, so hello all from a new Nexstar owner.
Donnie
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Donnie
SN6 with GSO 2" Focuser
C90 Mak Spotting Scope
10x12 ROR Observatory
Lots of rain and storms, will share.
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 30716
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
So, I may be asking questions from the group here at some point. Probably the Nexstar section of the site. Either way, it is indeed a Cat, so hello all from a new Nexstar owner.
Hi, Donnie.
I'm glad you've decided to stop lurking and join us! That's a very nice instrument. I liked mine a great deal; it's on my "repeat" list, meaning I'll have another one someday. Your questions and comments would be welcome either here or in the NexstarGPS Forum; lots of folks are available with helpful tips in both areas.
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John C
Battle Cry of Reno
http://www.wadsworthobservatory.com
My Cloudy Nights gallery
AT12RC
AT65EDQ
QSI683WSG-8
Roper Scientific Quantix 6303E "project" camera
mystery EQ mount on the way
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Donnie
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/15/04
Posts: 826
Loc: Western Ky
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Thanks for the welcome John. My current list of repeat scopes is another 9.25. I hated to part with it, but not being able to take it out on a regular basis was starting to pull me away from the hobby.
The N8GPS is much easier to take out and setup. When I first decided to sell the Ultima I was looking at getting a Nexstar 8i. Though not near as robust, they are extremely light and even quicker to setup than the N8GPS. But I found the N8GPS for $1300. A deal, for me, too good to pass up. Thankfully it appears to be a fine scope. I had some doubts about the somewhat low price. But the scope arrived in near mint condition. The scope itself is mint, not a scratch anywhere. The tripod has a few scuffs here and there, but that is inevitable. Optically it appears to be as good as the 9.25 I had, which says a lot. Just the smaller aperture, which I dont think I will notice too much.
With this purchase I am a confirmed SCT fanatic. Considered jack of all trades and master of none, I can live with that. They may not be masters, but I have never been displeased with any SCT I have owned. The LX90 I had a few years ago, one of the first, was not at the level of the Celestron's I have used recently. It was not bad by any means, but the star test on it was not as good as this scope or the 9.25 I just sold.
But, a friend of mine has a Meade 10" and that scope has a near perfect star test for an SCT. It's been said a lot over the past couple of years, but I agree that both Meade and Celestron are putting out great optics these days.
The reason I say fanatic is that every few years I convince myself to try a refractor or a dob. I have never owned a premium refractor but I have looked through many. I have owned a few dobs. In the end I always end up with another SCT. Hopefully with this one hitting the sweet spot for me as far as aperture and portability are concerned, I will hold on to it for many years.
One other thing. The $1300 also included a dew shield with the cutouts for the Nexstar series and a dew strap. I already had a controller. So I was good to go the first night out. Also, there was an 80mm dovetail bracket for mounting on top of the scope. This allows an 80mm or smaller scope to be mounted. I dont have much use for this. It may end up on Astromart soon. It is a very fine piece of equipment. Previous owner stated in his ad that it cost him $75. When I asked how much he would deduct if he would keep the dovetail mount, he said he would take $20 off. Well, I think I can get more than that on Astromart for it.
Ok, thanks again John for the welcome here. It's nice to know that if I have any questions they can surely be answered here.
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Donnie
SN6 with GSO 2" Focuser
C90 Mak Spotting Scope
10x12 ROR Observatory
Lots of rain and storms, will share.
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 30716
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
With this purchase I am a confirmed SCT fanatic.
I know I'm one. I was SCT-less for about a month this year but I knew that wouldn't last.
Your scope was a bargain; my first NX8GPS was purchased not long after they were introduced and the price then was $2500. Of course it went down to $2000 shortly thereafter (thanks, Celestron!).
I ended up swapping that one for a 4" APO on a GoTo mount; still have the APO. Well, I did trade the APO for a custom 10" truss Dob once but ended up buying it back! I got an 11" to replace the 8" but decided it was less portable and traded back down to an 8" and some cash. I don't remember what happened to the second 8" but it's not here now. 
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John C
Battle Cry of Reno
http://www.wadsworthobservatory.com
My Cloudy Nights gallery
AT12RC
AT65EDQ
QSI683WSG-8
Roper Scientific Quantix 6303E "project" camera
mystery EQ mount on the way
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Donnie
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/15/04
Posts: 826
Loc: Western Ky
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I went through something similar to that years ago. Late 80's early 90's. I was in high school. Finally had a job and making my own money. I went crazy with the scopes.
One advantage novices have these days is the vast amount of resources available on the internet. I could have saved myself lots of trouble had I been able to talk to others about different scopes.
I am married now and I have three kids. My wife thinks I am a nut. One for going outside in the winter when it is 10 degrees and more for staying out there. Also, the constant selling, purchasing of items. She told me recently when the Ultima left that she felt sorry for me. She said that she figured I would cry when it left on the UPS truck. It was a good scope to me for many years. I didnt cry, maybe a bit choked up, but no tears. 
She recently asked me if I had found my "perfect" scope yet. I replied to her that the perfect scope will be "any" scope once we move from this area, after the kids are grown. I would like to move out west about 20 years from now. Once the kids have grown and moved out. We dont get near the number of clear nights they do out in Arizona. Worse yet, when it is clear, the seeing is a toss up most nights. Factor in the unusually high humidity we often have here in the Ohio Valley and it makes for some frustrating times.
One time a few years ago she offered to help me in my quest. She asked me to list the types of telescopes available. I told her that each type has its own inherent drawbacks. She said that was understandable, but rather than keep purchasing new equipment year after year, why not get the best you can get. Oh if it were that simple. After reading many articles I found and printed for her she surmised that an AP 6" refractor would be perfect for me. Seeing that I am mostly a lunar planetary guy. I agreed, hard to argue with her. Although I mentioned to her that a light bucket would also be needed to look at DSO's. Then I told her how much the AP cost and the waiting period involved. She quickly said, keep looking honey, you might find the perfect one someday. Needless to say, she hasnt offered to help since then.
I can think of no other hobby where there is as much selling and trading as in Astronomy. Guess its the nature of the beast. Since we all have different tastes and there is a readily available supply of new stuff to try all the time.
Funny thing is, with each telescope, I tell her "I think this will hold me for a long time.". I can say though, that unless my schedule changes soon, this telescope will indeed hold me for quite some time.
Clear skies to you John.
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Donnie
SN6 with GSO 2" Focuser
C90 Mak Spotting Scope
10x12 ROR Observatory
Lots of rain and storms, will share.
Edited by Donnie (10/06/04 08:20 PM)
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Jefferson1964
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/15/04
Posts: 570
Loc: Mansfield, Texas
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My wife thought i was nuts for laying out back with binos looking at stars and staying up late with my N5. However, one night we both laid there and watched a meteor shower and i showed her a few DSO's. Now I own a new 8"LX200GPS and she wanted a scope so we purchased her a Hardin 12". She will observe the moon for several hours and was the first to inform me of the lunar eclipse tonight. Its nice to have her out observing with me.....
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10x70 Binos
Astroscan 2000
8" LX200GPS UHTC
ETX-125EC
ETX-125PE
The ETX Travel Buddies.....
DSIProII DSIPro
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 16902
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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Donnie,
Welcome, you'll love that GPS8.
You've already discovered that the "Laws of Astronomy" can not be violated. Since it was clear when you got your scope, the Astronomy Dieties got back at you by inflicting the flu upon you. 
Seriously, enjoy that 8", I did mine and I agree, it is really a great option when looking for portability.
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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Ronin
super member
Reged: 10/18/04
Posts: 111
Loc: Tempe AZ
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Jefferson... you lucky lucky man..... and I'm not referring to the scope. You are indeed fortunate..enjoy
Martin
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Martin "Ronin" Thompson
Observatory Manager
Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory
16" LX200R on Paramount ME
Personal Gear
Nexstar 8 GPS
Nexstar 11 CGE
Celestron Onyx 80
Canon Rebel XTi (EOS 400D)
Canon Xsi (EOS 450D)(Yippeee New Toy)
5 Baader Hyperions (Just Love Em)
All things are possible, they just may not be probable
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 9034
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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Donnie, that 8" SCT will be around for years. I've got a classic (read gen 1) Nexstar that has seen a lot of use. Since I took up with the Red-Head though, Nessie has been getting jealous. Gues I'll just have to buy her a new 20mm Plossl to make up. Clear Dark Skies!! Ohio Valley? Pm me where in the Ohio Valley.
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know"
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Tim13
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/07/04
Posts: 577
Loc: Midwest
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I have a similar story to Jefferson's. After using binocs for a year, I started getting the telescope bug. After much research, I had settled on an 8 inch dob. After talking it over with my wife, she suggested the LX200 8 inch instead so that we could have the goto.
Women. Go figure. 
Tim
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One blue telescope.
One white telescope.
One white(formerly gray!)telescope.
Imagine a world without hypothetical situations.
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